Title
Weathering and Rusting

Author
Bandit

Published
Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Weathering and rusting are unique ways to add character to any build. The method used here employs Rustall, a system that creates a random, natural, rusty metal appearance on plastic. The system comes with 4 bottles. Bottle 1 contains the Rustall, bottle 2 contains Blackwash, bottle 3 contains Dead Flat and bottle 4 contains Dust.

You will need the Rustall system, various sizes and types of paint brushes and flat based paint. Paint brand is up to you, but a slow drying paint will work best for areas that you want to look like cast iron. Paint color is also an option; I recommend flat black, flat brown and flat grey though Rustall can be applied over any color.



The rusty look is created by repeatedly applying Rustall onto a given surface. In this example, the rear end from the 72 GTO. Generally speaking an axle housing is bare unpainted metal that will become very rusty after a few years. Paint the exhaust and suspension as you normally would. Having the perfect paint job in this instance is not necessary. In fact flaws in the paint job will usually add to the visual interest of the part you are rusting.



You will need to move quickly through this part. Give the axle a good heavy coat of flat brown paint. While the paint is still wet, pour the contents from bottle 4 (dust) onto the axle. The wet paint will absorb the dust and will be the platform from which you create a rusty old axle.





Once the paint has dried, remove the excess dust and return it to bottle 4. You can see the axle now has a rusty texture.



Now start applying the fluid from bottle #1 (Rustall). This is a base coat, apply it to everything you want to look rusty.





Once your base coat is dry, you can now focus on making some spots more rusty then others. Just apply the Rustall where you want it. In this example, I have coated the axle 5 times and have added rust stains randomly along the exhaust.





Once you are satisfied with the amount of rust, the next step is to add some blackwash (bottle 2). This will add some depth and help the rust appear random not painted on. One or two coats will usually do.





You may now notice that the rust has a shine to it. This is where bottle 3 (dead flat) comes in. The dead flat knocks down the shine, giving the subject a 'natural' dull appearance. Two to three coats will do the job. Now, last but not least is bottle 4. Here is where you would add the dust to the subject. Just pour it all over.





Remove all the excess dust and there you have it. You now have a rusty axle.

Now if the item you want to look rusty is something that is generally painted i.e. a body or chassis, a different method of application is needed.

Second example; the chassis from the 72 GTO.

First the chassis is painted flat black.





Paint the entire chassis with Rustall. Once dry, do it again.

Now start randomly painting patches of the chassis with the Rustall. Do this many times… paint, dry, repaint. You can see the progressive changes.









Next we will add some serious rot to the floor pan. Using the dust from bottle 4, sprinkle a very thin layer of dust (just a pinch between your fingers) onto the floor pan. The size, shape and location is up to you, just so long as it is thin.







Now layer on some Rustall over the dust, getting the dust completely soaked. Two or three coats should do. Then paint everything with the blackwash followed by the dead flat.









Now for the last step, pour dust all over the chassis. Remove all the excess dust and you have a fully weathered chassis.





















I hope you found this tutorial helpful and enjoyable.